Thursday 8th January 2004

After fuelling up (69 ltrs @ 90.9 cpl) we departed Wallaroo at 9.30 am and headed south toward Moonta where one of us 'needed' another Cornish Pastie. (not top mention the other tasty treats purchased at the same time)

Then on to Maitland again where we stopped and had a final walk down the street and took a few photographs of some of the old historic buildings around the town.

On the road again to Port Victoria which is a small holiday town on the west coast of the peninsula just south of Maitland. Port Victoria has a number of old buildings that have been well restored but there is quite a number of new houses that have been built in recent years and more land is being opened up for housing now. One of the attractions (if you can dive) is the eight old ship wrecks around the island out from the port. One happened to sink on the same day as the Titanic, fortunately without casualties, other than maybe the red face of the captain. The story goes that it was loading up with 4,000 ton of bagged grain and the weight of the grain lowered the ship onto it's own anchor, which put a hole in the bottom of the ship and sank it.

It was then a relatively short drive of about 35 km to Minlaton which is a town with a population of 1,297 It is situated inland in the middle of the peninsula where the ankle would be if you look at Yorke Peninsula as a leg with the foot at the bottom. After setting up and a long chat to other caravaners in the park (One from WA) we had a walk through the town and are suitably impressed with it and the caravan park. We already have thoughts that we may stay a few days as there is quite a bit to see down in this area.

Maitland Main Street

Port Victoria Foreshore

Friday 9th January 2004

Today was a rest day (if you can have a rest from a holiday), and the washing was the major achievement for the day. Our bedding now boasts of very pink (one of us loves pink) doona covers that were a Christmas gift from our son Travis and his future wife, Lana.

A couple we met here, Peter and Margaret Bomford, left the park this morning heading for Ardrossan for a day or two. The friendships that came be formed between people traveling is quite refreshing and although only brief, there is a lot in common. Someone always has some idea or method of doing things that others may not have thought of up until then. We hope to meet up with them again in Tasmania as we will both be there during the same time.

A visit to the shops in Minlaton was next on the list and the butcher shop (or gourmet meat supply) revealed some rather tasty meals to come. Starting with pork sausages for lunch.

The rest of the day was spent reading and one of us had a snoozzzzze, I guess it will end with the customary couple of evening drinks. It's a tough life but someone has to do it!!

Minlaton Hotel

Minlaton Caravan Park - a lovely spot

Saturday 10th January 2004

After a slow start due to the necessary long discussions with other caravaners that were leaving the Minlaton Caravan Park this morning, we eventually started out site seeing at about 11:30 am and headed off toward the big toe of the Yorke Peninsula.

We went through Warooka and then turned of the main road and went to a small seaside village called Point Turton. This was like many other seaside resorts but was worth the effort to have a look at it. We had lunch in the Nissan, looking over the boat ramp which is protected by rock groynes.

On leaving Point Turton we followed the dirt roads along the coast and called into many little bays along the way until we reached Corny Point, which would be the toe nail of the Yorke Peninsula foot.

From there is was supposed to be a scenic drive down to Marion Bay, but although is was rolling farmland, we did not see any spectacular scenery along this section of road.

From Marion Bay we entered Innes National Park (cost of $6.50 for a vehicle) and drove around the very south west section of the Yorke Peninsula. There were many bays and viewing areas over a distance of about 15 km. We took our time and visited most of these attractions and would recommend this park as a must see for anyone down in this area. The $6.50 was well rewarded and many photographs were taken.

After Innes National Park, time was running out to get back to Minlaton so we drove back via the shortest route, through Warooka and then filled up with fuel at Hardwicke Bay as it appears to be the cheapest fuel we can find in this area (53.9 ltrs @ 90.9 cpl). Fortunately from there it was only 10 minutes back to Minlaton because one of us was getting thirsty for a glass of white wine.

Sunday 11th January 2004

An earlier start today, leaving at about 9:30 am to visit port Rickaby which is on the West side of the Peninsula, slightly higher than Minlaton. Another good little holiday spot that was pretty full of SA holiday makers whilst the children are on holidays..

Our next stop was Ardrossan, on the East side of the Peninsula about level with Maitland. This was a bigger town and a main centre for grain shipping. We visited the town jetty which I can recall standing beside and being amazed how big it was when I was about six years old. It doesn't look so big now, however it is still fairly impressive. Both Pam and I thought it wasn't a bad town and that we would spend more time here next time we traveled past this way.

After Ardrossan we drove down the East coast through a number of towns, including Port Julia, Port Victoria, Stansbury, Wool Bay, Coobowie, Edithburgh, Then on the Troubridge Scenic drive, back up past the pink Lake Cemetery and back to Minlaton via Yorktown. We arrived back at the caravan at about 3:30 pm, some 258 km traveled for the day.

Port Victoria was a very nice little town on the water, with two caravan parks. One caravan park had a caravan storage area that must have had at least 150 to 200 caravans parked in lines together.

Wool Bay was an interesting place and part of it's history is the kilns that were used to burn limestone to make mortar and mixes for cement. On the small beach there were some children playing in the 'sand' and it was obvious that once you dig down into it a little, it becomes darker like a sludge mix, however they appeared to be having a great time.

Edithburgh took our eye a little and was another place that we said we would like to spend a bit of time at next time around, however like most of the seaside towns, they are full of SA holiday makers at this time and would be better for travelers (Grey Nomads) outside of the school holiday periods.

From Edithburgh we traveled around the Troubridge Scenic Drive which is a dirt road that hugs the coast and the cliff line. This was quite scenic and well worth the drive. The cliffs were not extremely high but there was plenty of them and also a number of small bays that provided good boogie boarding opportunities.

Yorktown. was a short drive back into the middle of the peninsula and is the central point for the foot of the peninsula. This is obvious when you get into the centre of the town where the main intersection has five roads intersecting at the same spot - and no traffic lights - but is was Sunday so no problems today.

It was then time to return to Minlaton and prepare our record of travel events as we intend going to the local 'Football Club' tonight for there $5.00 Sunday Roast, and one of us says we have to pay the extra $2.00 for the sweets as well!

The end of another tough day..............